Swimmers who count down to opening day at the Holmes Aquatic Center may have a shorter wait next year.
The University Park City Council approved the addition of a swimming pool heater to the aquatic center during its Aug. 5 meeting, an upgrade that could enable the pool to open before Memorial Day weekend, and to remain open for longer.
“The new pool heater will allow for an extended swimming season,” assistant director of parks and recreation Thomas Anich told the council, adding that the extended dates might increase attendance and pool revenue.
Other project highlights include a replaced high dive; new high rate sand filters, which Anich told the council would increase water pathogen safety, flow rates, and water clarity; surge tank repairs and waterproofing to minimize future water loss; and new chemical controllers.
The city council approved a $597,989 quote from Sunbelt Pools to complete the project. Work will begin the second week of September, after area dogs have their annual splash day at the pool on Saturday, Sept. 6. The improvements are slated to be finished by the end of January.
Also during the meeting, the city council approved an upgraded playground for Burleson Park. The current playground is over 15 years old, director of parks and recreation Sean Johnson told the council.
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The new playground’s design is the result of input from the parks advisory committee and young playground users. It includes play areas for children ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12, along with plenty of shade, and swings. The playground, Johnson said, will get kids moving through climbing structures and obstacle courses.
The project’s total cost, which includes the installation of new safety surfacing and the removal of the existing playground and surfacing, is $597,175.68. The city will break ground on the replacement around early November, and installation is expected to take four to six weeks.
Council member Melissa Rieman said she appreciated how responsive parks and recreation staff have been to feedback from park board members.
“You went back and made the changes, and made it better,” she said. “I think it looks great.”
University Park also recently replaced playgrounds at Curtis and Caruth parks.
